Thorverk policy; Excellence based on safety

Thorverk is an industrial partner producing organic, sustainably harvested high quality algal meal. In its processes Thorverk promotes caution, equality, good working atmosphere and respect for the environment. The fundamental issue of all operations is safety. All employees are instructed and trained to be aware of unsafe circumstances and are encouraged to suggest improvements in the workingplace. Thorverk wants its safety guidelines to spread in the community.

I Safety

We strive for a safe framework for the company's operations, its assets and the human resources. Also, all the company's infrastructure and equipment should be well maintained so that mishaps or accidents cannot be attributable to negligence. All fire safety systems should be in place and audited regularly. Valid contingency plans relating to safe processes and industrial operations are available for all operations. New workers and contractors are informed about this policy before they start attending their tasks. Information and community systems (IT) should be secure. Health and safety equipment should always be in use to avoid accidents. Safety plans and working routines should ensure continous business operation and minimize damage. Thorverk contributes to increase safety and environmental awareness in the community.

II Environment and natural resources

Thorverk aims for sustainable harvesting based on continuous collection of data and scientific research. We actively support seaweed research in the Breiðafjorður in order to have the best available knowledge for managing our harvesting activities in a sustainable way. In 2016 the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun) started a three years' survey with the participation of Thorverk. The goal is to improve knowledge of biomass and growth rates of seaweed in the region. The results of this research project will be used to further ensure that our harvesting strategy will not compromise the environment in the fjord.

Our goal is to ensure that seaweed harvest is within Breiðafjörður‘s renewable and sustainable capacity. We obey the results of research on regeneration and sustainable yield. We follow advice from our certification agencies as well and adapt to recommended procedures with the aim of improving our performance. Thorverk supports research concerning marine plants and the ecosystem as a whole.

The Icelandic energy resource consultancy ISOR monitors the geothermal wells in Reykhólar. The aim is to use the heat with high energy-efficiency and not to override the renewal capacity of the hot water resource. Also, Thorverk offers a second use of the effluent water. We focus on buying eco-products and cleaning agents in procurement and avoid the use of disposable products. We reuse paper and promote the use electronic communication that saves paper wherever possible. The Region of the Westfjords has reached a silver benchmarking in environmental audition made by EARTH-CHECK. The communities also strive to abandon all use of plastic bags within a few years.

III Human resources

We constantly seek new ways to improve the safety and well-being of our staff. We seek to employ women and men in all jobs equally. Equal salaries are secured for comparable work. We want a workplace that is safe, and promote good health. Communication is characterized by respect, agility, friendship and tolarance. With good and open communication we carry out effective cooperation. Discrimination, bullying and prejudice are not tolerated. Newcomers are trained by experienced, trustworthy employees. We give employees the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills.

IV Satisfied customers

We put the customer in the center and take note of his expectations. We provide services based on serious professionalism and neutrality. Products are marked with batch numbers and there is full traceability from point of harvesting, through the production process and to the delivery of our goods. We try to educate our customers about the ingredients and the charecter of our products, sustainable harvesting and our region.

V Quality policy

Our algal meal is a pure natural product. It is rich of substances that are useful as fertilizers, in human food- and animal feed industry as well as in cosmetic products. Not to mention the alginate industries. The company ensures the quality of the dry meal to be among the best of its type in the world. Thorverk seeks in every step of the process to achieve best quality and maximum yield from the raw material that is landed. We inform our customers about our products and the plant´s environmnet.

VI Social responsibility

Thorverk is located in the small community of Reykhólar, Iceland, at the north coast of the Breiðafjordur bay. It is partially a nature reserve. The hot geothermal water, the fjord's abundant seaweed, clean waters and the local residents are the resources we depend on. Salaries are equal for all workers in comparable positions. We provide safety equipment for employees and visitors. We do not employ children and strive to support progressive projects in the local community. We attend important municipality matters when invited and support good causes, thereby fostering human wellbeing. Warm attitude and cooperation with the locals is one of the pillars that make Thorverk succeed and thrive. Safety issues also apply to the local inhabitants and guests.

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About us

Thorverk offers highest quality of dried Ascophyllum and Laminaria from the scarcely populated Breiðafjörður, W. Iceland. The products are certified as being pure organic and sustainably harvested. Founded in 1986 Thorverk hf. uses geothermally heated pure ground water at Reykhólar and the abundant seaweed grounds of the fjord. Our motto is to provide excellent quality based on safety and environmental caution.